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Enwoven (FKA The History Project) - Niles Lichtenstein and Ben Yee
Grades
5 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Enwoven (formerly known as The History Project) is an online storytelling and sharing tool with a goal of curating and preserving personal life stories. Scroll through to view already-created...more
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Enwoven (formerly known as The History Project) is an online storytelling and sharing tool with a goal of curating and preserving personal life stories. Scroll through to view already-created stories to get a sense of the site's features, then click "Get Started" to begin your story. Add memories using photos, documents, video, audio clips, and much more. When telling your story, view it in several different formats. Choose memories, timeline, tags, or map to look at stories from several different perspectives. Some videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.
tag(s): biographies (91), digital storytelling (157), portfolios (32)
In the Classroom
Have students use Enwoven (The History Project) to gather resources and tell the story of any period of history. For example, when studying World War 1, add newspapers, recordings, and photographs to discuss events leading to World War 1, and then add information throughout the war to it's end. The History Project is an excellent tool for creating and sharing biography projects, exploring career options, and for creating a portfolio to include with college admissions. Start a History Project the first week of school and add information throughout the year to tell the tale of your school year.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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Headline Generator - Class Tools
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Create and share a personalized newspaper headline with an image using the Headline Generator. Add a headline, byline, and picture to make an image that looks like it came straight...more
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Create and share a personalized newspaper headline with an image using the Headline Generator. Add a headline, byline, and picture to make an image that looks like it came straight from a major website. When finished, download to your computer or tweet to share on Twitter.
tag(s): images (279), journalism (54), slides (66), writers workshop (34)
In the Classroom
Share the Headline Generator with students for use when creating titles or headlines for projects. Download the image/headline and insert into a Word document or slide presentation. Create a headline for the student of the week, to recognize student achievements, or as an introduction to any new unit. Ask students to use Headline Generator at the beginning of a writing project or research/report to help focus on content for writing. Encourage students to refine their headline as they hone in on their topic, and then have students submit a list of all headlines attempted as part of the final project grade along with the final image. Use the Headline Generator to have students create a simple headline for famous characters in history, story characters, or as part of a biography project.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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LiveSlides - Poll Everywhere
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Bring life and interactivity to your PowerPoint and Keynote presentations with LiveSlides. Use this tool to add videos, Twitter feeds, polls, and more directly into presentations! LiveSlides...more
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Bring life and interactivity to your PowerPoint and Keynote presentations with LiveSlides. Use this tool to add videos, Twitter feeds, polls, and more directly into presentations! LiveSlides is a web add-in allowing users to embed any website as a placeholder for web content. Download the add-in and follow directions to install. After installation, open PowerPoint to find a LiveSlides tab to use to embed content onto a slide. During your presentation, an Internet connection is needed to run content. Learn more about how to use LiveSlides and its different features at the FAQ link on the site.
tag(s): digital storytelling (157), images (279), multimedia (63), slides (66)
In the Classroom
Use this tool for your flipped learning lessons, for student multimedia presentations, and to encourage student participation during lessons. Demonstrate how to use LiveSlides, showing students how to add information from the Internet to create their own study guides to review before a test. Use your current PowerPoint presentations as a starting point, then add videos, quizzes, and live websites to enhance lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Twords - Anna Tulchinskaya
Grades
6 to 12
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Stick to your writing schedule, meet deadlines, and develop strong writing habits using the Twords web app! Create an account, and as you add writing, Twords uses graphs to display...more
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Stick to your writing schedule, meet deadlines, and develop strong writing habits using the Twords web app! Create an account, and as you add writing, Twords uses graphs to display writing progress, report on progress, and provides calculators for word goals based on your input. Add buddies as an extra incentive to keep you on track. Buddies receive alerts when you haven't written for the prescribed number of days and provide encouragement to get you back on track. Use Twords writing prompts to practice writing different genres. Use personalization options to set up features on the account to match your writing needs.
tag(s): journals (20), process writing (47)
In the Classroom
Share with students, then have them set up their own Twords account. Twords will be especially useful for longer writing projects to keep students on track without having to pull an "all-nighter" at the last minute! Use Twords in your classroom for journaling purposes to ensure that students maintain an up-to-date journal. Be sure to have students add you to their Buddy list. Use Twords to model writing. Add students as your buddies to help you keep on track with writing goals.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Kindle Direct Publishing - Amazon Kindle
Grades
K to 12
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"Hey, I could write a book about that!" Kindle Direct Publishing allows you to write and publish a book for use on Kindles. Download the software in PC or Mac ...more
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"Hey, I could write a book about that!" Kindle Direct Publishing allows you to write and publish a book for use on Kindles. Download the software in PC or Mac format to begin, then follow the directions to convert PDF's and add interactive content such as image popups, audio, and video. When finished, publish the book to be included at Amazon's Kindle bookstore (with parental permission, of course).
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital storytelling (157), ebooks (42)
In the Classroom
If your class uses Kindles, the possibilities are endless. Publish interactive short books for all content areas and set the price to free. Students can then download and view books on their devices. Put together groups of student projects to create a complete book for all to use when reviewing material at the end of any unit. Share with gifted students for creating a book as an in-depth investigation into any area of the curriculum.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Requires download/installation of software
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PicFont - Picfont.com
Grades
4 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Create a poster (meme), postcard, or add captions to a photo. Also, resize and crop images. Save in medium or best quality to your device or download as a PDF ...more
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Create a poster (meme), postcard, or add captions to a photo. Also, resize and crop images. Save in medium or best quality to your device or download as a PDF or Word doc easily with Picfont. No registration is required. Choose images from your computer or device or select a picture from the gallery. Change not just the color and size of the font, but add an outline in any color and size, place it anywhere on the photo, and many more effects. Use Picfont to spice up social media postings; select to create a Facebook header, and a post with photos, a Twitter header and an In-stream, an Instagram Post, a LinkedIn cover, or select from several ad sizes. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click features for directions about how to use the different features of Picfont.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital storytelling (157), editing (72), images (279)
In the Classroom
Use this easy tool to add captions to images, create memes, or posters for your bulletin boards. Use this easy tool with students during back to school time as a way for them to get to know each other. Have students upload a picture of themselves doing their favorite activity and label it with amusing text or a favorite quote (or song lyrics?). Have them upload images that represent their interests and character traits. Print the images with text for a back-to-school bulletin board. Use after a field trip for students to write captions on the photos they took. Be sure to share the photos on your class web page, blog, or wiki. Haven't started blogging yet? Check out TeachersFirst's Blog Basics. For other uses, have students practice new words in a world language class by labeling and identifying images in that language. Create writing prompts using several annotated images. Have students create annotated images to explain key terms in science class. In ELA class, make homophone or vocabulary images to show the correct word along with a picture that explains it.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Microsoft Photo Story 3 - Microsoft
Grades
K to 12
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Share stories using digital images and Microsoft Photo Story 3 software. Download the software onto your Windows operating system to begin. With Photo Story 3 you can edit images, add...more
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Share stories using digital images and Microsoft Photo Story 3 software. Download the software onto your Windows operating system to begin. With Photo Story 3 you can edit images, add effects, soundtracks, and narrate your story. When finished, the small file size allows for easy sharing and viewing.
Although Photo Story 3 is an excellent and useful program, there are several things users need to consider. Photo Story is only compatible with Windows XP operating systems and higher, not on Macs. Windows has not issued updates for the program in several years and has not released a similar product since that time. Consider using similar resources such as Animoto reviewed here or Stupeflix reviewed here as alternative options if needed.
tag(s): digital storytelling (157), images (279), Microsoft (42), multimedia (63), slides (66)
In the Classroom
Photo Story 3 is an excellent way for students to create and share things that they photograph. Challenge students to give oral reports using Photo Story 3 as the visual part of their presentation. Have students take pictures during field trips to use in a Photo Story 3 to display what they saw and learned. Photograph steps of a science experiment. Alternatively, have students search for Creative Commons and Public Domain images to use as part of a slideshow biography about a prominent person in history. Use to tell the story of the water cycle or another process. Create a Photo Story 3 to use for review of classroom topics. Have students create a Photo Story 3 presentation demonstrating learning in any subject area such as Civil War events, different characteristics of animals, etc. Create a slide show for your elementary classroom as part of an informal, sharing presentation. Upload a picture that each student has drawn and have students tell the class about the picture in their own words. What a great way to get young students acclimated to talking in front of a group.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Plotbot - Plotbot
Grades
9 to 12
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Plotbot is a social screenwriting tool. While single writers can use the site, Plotbot strives to encourage collaborative writing and feedback. It includes many social media features...more
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Plotbot is a social screenwriting tool. While single writers can use the site, Plotbot strives to encourage collaborative writing and feedback. It includes many social media features designed to offer opportunities to share, comment on, create, and edit elements in the screenplay process. Registration requires an email address, password and a username of one's choosing. Get started in your Sandbox, which is a private mini-screenplay where you can learn how Plotbot works and walk through creating the major elements of the screenplay: the slugline, action, and dialogue. As the project creator, you control what up to fifty collaborators can do on your screenplay in the settings page. If you do have collaborators, the forum is a good place to work out ideas or ask for help. Plotbot projects are publicly viewable by default and searchable unless you select privacy in the settings. A handy feature lets scenes be re-ordered by dropping and dragging. Each account can have two private projects and unlimited public ones. Screenplays can be saved, imported, and downloaded for backup. Be aware that because of the public nature of the site, students may find mature content. It is always best to preview!
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creative writing (165), literary devices (12), readers theater (16), writing (367)
In the Classroom
Because of its ease of use, this is a helpful tool for classroom collaboration and learning the basics of screenwriting. The text editor is very basic so discuss with students what elements go into a screenplay. Be aware that because of the public nature of the site, students may find mature content. Students also may collaborate with anyone with a Plotbot account. Have students work together to create a scene or play that can be acted out or reviewed or edited by other students. Navigation can be confusing, especially returning to saved work. A menu on the right-hand side provides actions to choose. A chronological record of activity in each account helps in finding different projects and scenes. Be sure to show students the account and screenplay settings to set preferred privacy and social aspects.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lucidpress - Lucid Software Inc
Grades
K to 12
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Create and share beautiful digital content with Lucidpress. Start at the Educators link to access your FREE educator account. After registering for a free account, follow the...more
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Create and share beautiful digital content with Lucidpress. Start at the Educators link to access your FREE educator account. After registering for a free account, follow the prompts to add a document type from the available templates. Short tutorials along the way help guide you on using available features. The easy drag and drop features allow you to personalize flyers, posters, presentations, and more. The free features allow you to include three pages per document and up to 25mb storage; however, signing up as an educator includes access to many more additional features such as team management and up to 5gb storage for your team. This requires signing up with a school email address.
tag(s): digital storytelling (157), posters (40), social media (26)
In the Classroom
Have students collaborate on any kind of document using Lucidpress. Users can view, edit, and comment as they work together. The possible uses are only limited by your imagination! Create your own story page for parents and students where they can stay updated about what is happening in your classroom. Have students create a visual story to accompany books read in class, tell about social studies events, or display images for different science terms. Make flyers for upcoming events, to share book reviews, or as campaign posters for class elections.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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ePubEditor - ePubEditor.it
Grades
K to 12
4 Favorites
0 Comments
Create multimedia and interactive ebooks that work on tablets and computers for free with ePubEditor. Create your account to begin, then follow prompts to upload images and text with...more
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Create multimedia and interactive ebooks that work on tablets and computers for free with ePubEditor. Create your account to begin, then follow prompts to upload images and text with optional image, video, or audio. Other options allow you to create quizzes with different responses such as multiple choice, matching, or drag and drop response. Allow others to edit and add to your book using the share editing option. When complete, publish and share your book using the created URL or download in different formatting options including epub and PDF.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital storytelling (157), ebooks (42)
In the Classroom
Create books together as a class as you move through a unit or topic, adding images and ideas your students suggest. Use in a flipped classroom to deliver course information. Assign several student groups a different topic and have each group create their own multimedia versions as they learn more about the topic. Make a digital bookshelf of all the versions for all to use. Challenge your gifted students to enhance the "standard" class text with additional material they discover by going deeper and learning about related topics. In lower grades, create teacher-made ebooks for your young readers, perhaps adding audio of your own voice reading the text.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Printing Press - ReadWriteThink
Grades
4 to 12
5 Favorites
0 Comments
Create attractive newspapers, brochures, and posters with the interactive tool, Printing Press. No log-in is required. Just choose which format you want, one of five templates, and...more
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Create attractive newspapers, brochures, and posters with the interactive tool, Printing Press. No log-in is required. Just choose which format you want, one of five templates, and upload images. Choose text features and type or paste the text. Edit your work, if needed, before printing, downloading it as a PDF, or share through email. Save your draft to your computer to continue at a later date. Find a basic planning sheet, here, in the overview, to help students gather ideas. Turn the sound off or on at the top right.
tag(s): book reports (36), creative writing (165), newspapers (98), posters (40)
In the Classroom
Students can use Printing Press to demonstrate learning of any kind across grade levels and content areas. Instead of writing a boring research report, have your students create a professional looking newspaper or brochure! Math and science students can create posters explaining concepts they learned. Students can photograph experiments and write up labs. Use Printing Press for students to "report" out the important events in a book they read, or make a poster advertising it as a movie. Teachers can use this tool as a jump page to guide a lesson or upload images and write up examples of exemplary work to share with students to set expectations for completed products before beginning any project. The uses for this tool are wide open!Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Products can be shared by URL
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Wattpad - Allen Lau & Ivan Yuen
Grades
10 to 12
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Wattpad is storytelling redefined through an online story sharing community. Become part of the story experience by sharing your thoughts and comments as you read. Create your account...more
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Wattpad is storytelling redefined through an online story sharing community. Become part of the story experience by sharing your thoughts and comments as you read. Create your account to find recommended stories and view most shared by other Wattpad users. Choose a story and add it to your library to easily begin reading where you left off on any device. Add comments at the bottom of each page, or view comments left by other users. If you feel creative, add your own stories and enter writing contests offered in several different categories. Note: some material is labeled mature and should be monitored before sharing with students.
tag(s): creative writing (165), DAT device agnostic tool (180), ebooks (42), independent reading (129)
In the Classroom
Share Wattpad with students as a resource for free, online reading material. Caution is necessary with this site because it is completely open to the public. Be aware of what your district's restrictions are regarding this kind of activity. Depending on your circumstances and school district policies, this site might best be used under a teacher login. You can put models up on your interactive whiteboard for students to respond to either individually or as a class. You might have reactions to some of the stories or have students write their own critiques of the spotlighted work before sharing what others on the site have posted. Using Wattpad in class might also encourage students to seek out writing on their own and may encourage them to bring in their writing for their classmate's comments. This site might also be a good venue for students who work together on a high school literary magazine or for high school gifted students seeking writing mentors outside of the school community (with parent permission, of course).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Smithsonian Learning Lab - The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access
Grades
4 to 12
1 Favorites
1 Comments
Discover, create, and share digital resources from the Smithsonian Museum, the National Zoo, and nine major research centers with this visually appealing site. Use the search feature...more
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Discover, create, and share digital resources from the Smithsonian Museum, the National Zoo, and nine major research centers with this visually appealing site. Use the search feature to find digital resources including photos, recordings, videos, and text. Sign up to create your own collections, including those found on the site and your own resources. Add annotations and develop quizzes. Easily share your creations or curated collections using social networking links provided. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as ClipGrab, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.
tag(s): animals (322), architecture (85), art history (80), aviation (35), black history (57), civil war (144), dinosaurs (54), explorers (66), images (279), inventors and inventions (91), scientists (69)
In the Classroom
The Smithsonian Learning Lab is a must-add to your list of classroom bookmarks! Search for collections and information throughout the year on all topics. Add a link to classroom computers for the entire site or specific collections. Be sure to take advantage of the many features of this site to create customized collections, then have students add additional resources. Have students create quizzes for review of topics. Challenge students to create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Easel.ly, reviewed here.Comments
Sal, , Grades: 0 - 12
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TinyTap - Yogev Shelly
Grades
K to 12
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0 Comments
Create interactive games, books, and presentations with TinyTap. Choose the Activities link to access resources made by teachers. Sort by category, age, and language. TinyTap allows...more
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Create interactive games, books, and presentations with TinyTap. Choose the Activities link to access resources made by teachers. Sort by category, age, and language. TinyTap allows creators to include drag and drop activities, videos, quizzes, and more - all in one activity. Create groups to assign activities to different students. Most games are free; however, some games by professional authors are not free. Play games and activities on any device; however, creation of games requires you to download the free iPad app. At the time of this review, TinyTap worked well on most browsers (except Safari). The free version is public and comments are permitted. Be sure to preview anything before you share with students.
tag(s): assessment (118), DAT device agnostic tool (180), game based learning (138), quiz (84), quizzes (103)
In the Classroom
Use the embed code provided with activities to embed activities on your class website for play at home. Create a link to activities on classroom computers. Create your own activities (or have older students create review materials) to include with lessons. Be sure to watch the demo video for information about creating your own games.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
Requires download/installation of software
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Twitter Fictional Account Template - Ryan O'Donnell
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Create a "fake" Twitter account with this Google doc template. Upload images (use a Creative Commons or another copyright-safe picture) and create a username and mini-bio. Create a...more
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Create a "fake" Twitter account with this Google doc template. Upload images (use a Creative Commons or another copyright-safe picture) and create a username and mini-bio. Create a background for the wall and upload photos of known associates. As with any Google Doc, choose to share your creation in the upper right corner. See an example here. It is unfinished, so you can see how the directions are directly on the page, and you can get an idea of how it will look.
tag(s): book reports (36), creative writing (165), creativity (117), digital storytelling (157)
In the Classroom
Engage students in classroom learning with the Twitter Fictional Account Template. This site is terrific for creating interest in many subjects. In social studies, instead of a typical biographical report have students create a Twitter account page about their famous person. Write about presidents, founding fathers, famous scientists or artist, a civil war soldier, and much more. Create "followers" using other people associated with the main person who were famous at that time. You could use the "followers" boxes to create a mini-timeline. For the backgrounds of each user/follower, you could create a montage about what the person was famous for, or images from that period to establish a setting. Think about using the persons "nickname," if they have one, as their username. Use the Twitter template to outline the plot of a book, play, or film, and then share with students while studying the material. To use the Twitter template to study literature, create a page for the central character, book's author, or the setting of the book or play. Challenge students to use the template as an alternative for a book report. Have them present it orally, embellishing on each character's role in the book. For a unique twist in science class, make a Twitter template page for a periodic element or another science topic. In world language classes, have students do this activity (about themselves) in the second language they are learning. Create a Twitter template page for the first day of school to introduce yourself to students or at Open House for parents. Challenge students to create and share a page about themselves during the first week of school. Be sure to share a rubric with students for all expectations of what should be included on their page. Make the Twitter template one of the options for your gifted students doing projects beyond the regular curriculum. With no membership required, this tool is simple enough for younger gifted students who have parent permission to post work to the web. If your students aren't familiar with Twitter, or if you're looking for more ways to use Twitter in the classroom, read more about Twitter at TeachersFirst's Twitter for Teachers page.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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PenPal Schools - Joe Troyen
Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
PenPal Schools connects learners from around the world with three to six-week courses in cross-cultural learning and understanding. After sign up, PenPal Schools matches classes based...more
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PenPal Schools connects learners from around the world with three to six-week courses in cross-cultural learning and understanding. After sign up, PenPal Schools matches classes based on class size and age range. Choose courses from four categories based on global issues or American issues. Each week, students log in to complete an assignment that typically involves viewing a video and reading a news article before answering a set of questions. Assignments are aligned with the Common Core Standards. PenPal Schools will work on any device with a modern web browser and an Internet connection.
tag(s): cross cultural understanding (124)
In the Classroom
Create an account and participate in different courses as part of your studies of current events. Enrich course content by having students create an annotated image based on discussion questions including text boxes, related links, and even video. Use Thinglink, reviewed here, for this activity. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts demonstrating their understanding of one of the concepts. Use a tool such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Adobe Spark - Adobe
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
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Create beautiful visual stories with Adobe Spark. Follow prompts to add your own images or select from thousands available online. Personalize your story with text, slide shows, links...more
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Create beautiful visual stories with Adobe Spark. Follow prompts to add your own images or select from thousands available online. Personalize your story with text, slide shows, links to outside resources, and more. When complete, share using the unique URL or with the social media links provided.
tag(s): blogs (84), creative writing (165), digital storytelling (157), microblogging (40)
In the Classroom
Possible uses are only limited by your imagination! Create your own story page for parents and students where they can stay updated about what is happening in your classroom. Have students create a visual story to accompany books read in class, tell about social studies events, or display images for different science terms. Adobe Spark is perfect to use for digital storytelling in any subject!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Share What You're Reading - Scholastic, Inc.
Grades
K to 12
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Use this handy tool to share favorite books and discover new ones. Read the advice for writing a good review at the top of the form before starting. After writing ...more
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Use this handy tool to share favorite books and discover new ones. Read the advice for writing a good review at the top of the form before starting. After writing the review submit to Scholastic by filling in a simple form that asks for first name, last initial, and no email required. To discover the next book to read select from a grade level or genre list and then find an interesting title and click to read the review. The More to Explore menu on the left links to How to Write a Book Report with Rodman Philbrick, which is more extensive in depth with Writing Tips, Challenges, and Revision Guidelines.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): book reports (36), independent reading (129), reading lists (81)
In the Classroom
Introduce students to this tool using an interactive whiteboard or projector. Share the list of books already reviewed, and read a few reviews together. Read the guidelines for writing a review, and create a book report for a book read in class. First, model by creating a rough draft. Next, copy and paste the final version of the rough draft to Share What You're Reading. Last, show the students how to publish. Set up a station in class where students can write up other books they read. Another idea would be to use the published reviews for grammar exercises. Not only can you edit and revise a review, but it could also be a "book talk" to introduce students to a title.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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SMS Generator - Class Tools
Grades
4 to 12
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Use this clever and simple tool to create conversations (or presentations) that look like text messages. Use the icons on the bottom to get started. Email is not required. Clicking...more
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Use this clever and simple tool to create conversations (or presentations) that look like text messages. Use the icons on the bottom to get started. Email is not required. Clicking either speech bubble will begin the text message, and click the other one to reply. Save the presentation with a password. Share via embed or QR code or URL.
tag(s): book reports (36), creative writing (165), digital storytelling (157), writing (367)
In the Classroom
Engage students with what they know, text messaging! Inform students you will be creating a text conversation between two historical figures, fictional characters, scientists - anything from something the class is reading. On the whiteboard or with a projector display the SMS Generator. Show students how to use it by having them create the conversation. The text is not limited, but keep it reasonable. Besides using SMS Generator for presentations, it could be used to teach or refine social skills, practice writing in a new language, or explaining a math or science concept to a peer.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Drafting Board - iCivics
Grades
5 to 12
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Drafting Board is a blended-learning tool, with a set of six modules that guide you through the steps of creating an argumentative essay. Upon completion of all modules, you will ...more
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Drafting Board is a blended-learning tool, with a set of six modules that guide you through the steps of creating an argumentative essay. Upon completion of all modules, you will have a complete essay starting with an introduction, counterpoints, and a conclusion. Download information in three parts: an overview to Drafting Board, a self-guided training PowerPoint, and the teaching guide and tips. You must register with iCivics using email to fully access all of the Drafting Board features. Be sure to read all notes on the site for suggested times for completing activities. The overview to Drafting Board is a three minute video, and it will give you an idea of the topics provided. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable. You could always view it at home and bring it to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Online-Convert, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.
tag(s): debate (46), essays (21), expository writing (40), persuasive writing (57), point of view (10), writing (367)
In the Classroom
This site is an excellent way to teach an argumentative essay. Complete one essay together using the steps provided, then assign students an essay to complete on their own. You may want to give students a choice of topics to write about from 301 Prompts for Argumentative/Persuasive Writing, reviewed here. Upon completion of their essay, challenge students to create a presentation about their topic using Slidestory, reviewed here. Slidestory allows for narration. Be sure to share a link to the site on your class webpage for students to use throughout the year.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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